SINGAPORE - For eight years, a general worker managed to break into more than 200 SP Powergrid substations islandwide to steal copper earth bars. Tan Hong Thow would then sell off his loot, worth at least S$27,000 to a second-hand scrap metal dealer. He then spent the money to feed his gambling habit and on his family. Tan was, today, jailed seven-and-a-half years after admitting to 12 of 223 housebreaking charges. The court heard that the copper bars were installed to protect network equipment by diverting any abnormal flow of electric current to the ground. Their absence could result in widespread power outages and could even injure workers servicing substation equipment. Assistant Public Prosecutor Charlene Yang said that Tan had broken into substations located at places including Sengkang and Hougang. He was only caught after a resident spotted him breaking into one at...